ADVOCACY REPORT
California’s legislature adjourned the 2023-2024 legislative session in the early morning hours of September 1. More than 2,100 bills were introduced this year with major topics ranging from Artificial Intelligence, retail theft, warehouse regulations, social media reform to campaign finance. By the end of session, hundreds of bills were approved by the Legislature and now sit on Governor Newsom’s desk where he has until September 30 to decide whether or not they become law. As Blue Diamond ’s Government Affairs team, our job is to advocate for our grower-owners and represent the Cooperative. We work each day to provide a voice for Blue Diamond and our grower-owners at key decision- making tables. Our team sifts through bills to find those that could have the most impact, positive or negative, and advocate accordingly. A large part of advocacy is developing relationships with a wide range of government officials, both elected and appointed, and building their understanding of the Cooperative, its membership, and the almond industry. Doing this in partnership within our industry
associations, like the Almond Alliance, Agricultural Council of California, and California Manufacturers & Technology Association, allows us to ensure strong coalitions around priority issues and the protection of our Blue Diamond brand and growers. This year, advocacy was critical as multiple bills on water rights, pesticides, and labor and manufacturing were introduced, all having an impact on Blue Diamond and our growers’ operations and bottom line. Through our advocacy as a Cooperative and with our associations, many of these bills were either amended, mitigated or in some cases and when favorable, pushed through with support. These outcomes were possible because of the robust relationships Blue Diamond has with our associations and with legislators and their staff. As the legislative year closes, all focus, both in California and in Washington, is on the election. This is a pivotal year with many elected positions, from the presidency to city council, up for grabs. In the state legislature alone, at least
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ALMOND FACTS
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